THE ALARMING HISPANIC STUDENT DROPOUT RATE

September 6, 1995

The high school dropout rate for Hispanic students is twice as high as it is for blacks, and more than three times what it is for whites. Since the U.S. population of young Hispanics is forecast to grow 61% in the next 15 years, a disaster is in the making.

Some 27.5% of Hispanics aged 16-24 have not completed high school and are not enrolled now.

Dropout rates among black students have steadily declined, from a high of about 23% in the 1970s to about 13% today.

Even among high-income Hispanic families making $50,660 or more, 6% do not complete high school.

The long term impact of the dropout rate can now be seen in the job market. In January, Hispanic unemployment rose to 10.2%, double the white rate for the first time in the 20 years figures have been collected.